How to: Quantum

As a continuation of the last post (Newer Horizons Indeed), this post will serve as a list of resources that are useful to study the basics of Quantum Computing, a few events that I personally enjoy tuning in to, and a general update about the Qiskit Summer School and the Qiskit Advocate Program.

Resources for Learning

These articles are a cornucopia of wonderful resources (such as John Preskill's lecture notes) on how to get started with Quantum Computing, developing a better understanding of Quantum Mechanics, as well as some resources for pre-undergrad (so mainly highschool-level) material for students to follow.

1. Learning Quantum Computing
2. Entry Points for Learning Quantum Computing

The following resources are ones that I have used (before I'd come across the aforementioned articles, thanks to my mentor):

1. Quantum Computing for the Very Curious by Andy Matuschak and Michael Nielsen
   It's perhaps the most unconventional "textbook" I've ever used. It aims at making 'memory a choice' by using spaced repetition. You can learn more about its methodology here.
   The text is easy to follow and your understanding is mapped according to your answers, helping you focus on what you haven't completely understood.
   
   
2. Quantum Computing for the Determined by Michael Nielsen
   I used this YouTube series to supplement my reading of QCVC (point 1) since I do prefer a text-based medium for learning.
   
   
3. Quantum Computation and Quantum Information by Michael Nielsen
   I'm using this textbook to clear up my understanding of more theoretical and mathematical concepts; there's no reason to finish reading the whole book, but it is a good reference for when you're confused about something.
   (Since this list is populated mainly by resources written by Michael Nielsen, I'll also add that I find his blog to be highly informative and enjoyable to read. I'd gush about it a bit more but that's for another blog post to be published on another day.)
   
   
4. Quantum Information Science - edX
   The fact that it's taught by Peter Shor has nothing to do with why I finished going through it in record time :)

Practice

I started off using Qiskit to play around with quantum gates. Qiskit is a Python-based framework that is useful for simulating, compiling, and executing quantum circuits. 

Their blogs on learning quantum computing help directly by taking examples of how to build quantum circuits using Qiskit. Moreover, I'd suggest checking out their YouTube channel for their seminar series and their SuperPosition series in which researchers talk about current work being done using QC and the future of QC.

Another useful resource is the Quantum Open Source Foundation which lists out other frameworks you can use, evaluated projects, as well as applications to projects you can work on.

Webinars by RIT are also pretty interesting, though I admit, I'm not good keeping up with periodic webinars.

Qiskit Summer School and Advocate Program

I applied for the Qiskit Summer School program which starts on July 20, 2020, which aims at introducing quantum computing and quantum algorithms to those interested. The video lectures will be available online for anyone who wishes to use them for their own learning.

Furthermore, I'll be applying to the Qiskit Advocate Program by August 15, 2020, which is aimed at users interested in taking up projects and want to make their work more visible in the Quantum Computing community.

This is an on-going project and I'll update this space with more reading material and my understanding of recent research in quantum computing.

Qiskit Cat
Yes, I like the fact that there's a Qiskit Cat.